($1,455) Movers From Des Moines, IA to Lafayette, LA

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Lafayette

Moving from Des Moines to Lafayette means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Des Moines than in Lafayette, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Des Moines compares to Lafayette so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Lafayette are 146% higher than in Des Moines, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Des Moines.
  Home prices in Lafayette are 11.4% higher than in Des Moines.
• Income in Lafayette is 1.7% higher than in Des Moines, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Lafayette include LHC Group, King-Patin, and Guy’s Towing Service.
• The cost of living for a single person in Lafayette is 5.6% lower than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Lafayette is 3.9% lower than in Des Moines.
• The unemployment rate in Lafayette is 1.69% lower than in Des Moines.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Lafayette, since the city’s sales taxes in Lafayette are 35.00% higher than in Des Moines.
• One perk of moving to Lafayette is paying less in state income taxes, which are 3.41% lower than in Des Moines.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,831.84 in Lafayette to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Des Moines.

How life is different in Des Moines vs. Lafayette

• Lafayette's population is about 83% less than Des Moines.
• Lafayette's public transportation has a score of 3 out of 10 versus Des Moines's higher score of 5.
• Lafayette and Des Moines are similarily walkable.
• With a score of 47 out of 100, Lafayette is more bike-friendly than Des Moines, which has a score of 39 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
• Lafayette's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 45.75 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Lafayette neighborhoods are safer than 45.75% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
• Lafayette and Des Moines are considered to be equally safe.
• Air quality in Lafayette is good, and in Des Moines it's good.

Other things to consider for your Des Moines vs. Lafayette move

• Weather: It's best to plan your move to Lafayette during April, October and November.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: If you’re using a legitimate moving company to relocate from one home or apartment within the state to another, look for a company regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC). During the pre-move screening process, families on the move should verify that prospective movers are registered and in good standing with the LPSC. In cases of substandard service, inflated costs, and unlicensed movers operating illegally, consumers may file a complaint, after which the commission will initiate an investigation. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Louisiana moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Louisiana does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Lafayette. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Choose Released Value Protection for free coverage at 60 cents per pound from movers. For full-value protection, explore alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Lafayette

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Hub City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Lafayette.

Helpful moving resources